Regardless of how long ago it was that you attended your driver’s education class, we’re sure there plenty of lessons you carry over and practice in your everyday life. We all remember learning how to properly execute a Y-turn and how to merge onto the highway, but what are some things your driver’s ed teacher didn’t teach you? Our team here at Certified Autoplex is going to share some of the most common lessons drivers didn’t learn during driver’s ed.

READ MORE: Wondering how to avoid distractions behind the wheel? Click here for our advice.

To start, one thing that’s rarely discussed in a driver’s education course is the cost of car insurance, and how to pick out the best one for you. Unfortunately this will require some research, but we promise the time spent will pay off in the long run. You’ll want to determine which type of coverage you want and how much you’re willing to pay before you can decide exactly which car insurance is the best fit.

Three Things Driver’s Ed Didn’t Teach You

1. Use Your Brakes – Antilock braking systems are standard in most vehicles on the market nowadays, and most drivers just simply don’t understand its power. If you’re in a situation where you need to avoid an oncoming obstacle, don’t hesitate to slam on the brakes, hard. This will automatically activated the ABS. When you do, you’ll hear some grinding and feel the brake pulsating, but do not let up. These sounds and feelings are not hurting the vehicle. One of the best parts about the ABS is that you can still steer while it’s activated. Stay pressed down on the brake pedal while you steer to avoid the obstacle ahead.
2. Forget 10 & 2 – When you got behind the wheel for the first time, you probably remember your instructor suggesting for you to place your hands at ‘10 and 2’. Referring to an analog clock, drivers were told to keep their hands in this position. However, this has changed over time. For safety purposes, your hands should be at 9 and 3 or even 8 and 4. This position keeps your hands and arms out of the way in case the steering wheel airbag is deployed. One position to avoid at all costs is having one hand at 12. If the airbag is deployed, your hand could come right back into your face and cause serious injuries.
3. Don’t Drive Too Slow – It’s probably safe to say that while you were in driver’s ed your instructor never suggested for you to ‘floor it’ or ‘put the pedal to the metal’. However, there are situations where doing so is entirely necessary. One of the most important places is on the highway. Driving slower than the suggested speed limit can essentially cause traffic jams and lead to accidents. If you must drive slower than the suggested speed limit, be sure to find yourself in the furthest right lane during this time.

These are just a few suggestions to keep in mind while you’re out on the road that you may not have thought about before. If you have any other lessons that come to mind, please feel free to share them in the comments below. More information is available by contacting our team here at Certified Autoplex for more information.